Related Articles

Both men and women have many options for stay-at-home business opportunities. The key is choosing a product or service that interests you. Perhaps you have a hobby or skill that you can turn into a home business. However, you'll need to consider start-up costs. Some home businesses will inevitably cost more money to start, especially if you require certain equipment or need to advertise on a national basis.

Consulting

Many people who formerly worked in the corporate world do consulting. If you have a number of years experience performing a specific job, you can consult. You just need to find the clients. The main thing that separates good and bad consultants is passion and drive, according to Entrepreneur.com. Types of consulting jobs include Web design, management and marketing research consulting. Contact old business associates, agencies or clients. Ask them if they have any overflow work. Advertise your consulting business in the newspaper. Get a mailing list of would-be clients and mail them a brochure about your consulting service. Start locally, as you will sometimes need to meet clients in person before they assign you work.

Network Marketing

Network marketing or MLM (multilevel marketing) entails recruiting people into a business and earning a percentage off their sales. Network marketing uses the concept of leveraging. You can literally have hundreds of people working for you and earning you money. The reason is that the network marketing commission plan pays many levels deep. For example, you may earn 10 percent off the monthly vitamin purchases of people you personally sponsor and 5 percent off the people they sponsor. Get a separate business phone line to maintain professionalism. Many network marketers use postcards to market their business, or they advertise in business opportunity magazines. You can also hand out business cards with your website address. You will target people, like you, who want to start a home-based business.

Pet Care

People sometimes work long hours or travel on their job. They are usually picky about who watches their pets. This growing need provides a business opportunity for animal lovers. You can watch the dogs, cats and other animals at your home if you have the space and a relatively large backyard. All you need to do is distribute some fliers around town. Focus on dogs if you prefer, as they need to be walked and bathed. The average dog sitter makes between $8.50 and $17.50 per hour, according to Payscale.com. Check with other pet sitters about the going rate in your area. Set your price accordingly.

Professional Instruction

Use your expertise to teach people how to do things. For example, if you have experience playing the piano or guitar, give piano or guitar lessons from your home. Tutor students in reading, math and other subjects. Call schools in your area and provide the principal or office with your name and address. Let them know you are available for tutoring.